Many individuals and families in our community are falling through the cracks. Our region has experienced significant economic change through loss of industry and jobs and we have long-standing areas of persistent poverty and economic isolation. While not severely economically distressed, we have one of the highest opioid death rates in the state, a higher poverty rate than the average in the state, and a lack of economic progress relative to some of our peers in Western North Carolina.

 

Underneath the statistics, we know there are people in our community that are suffering. Very few McDowell residents have families, friends and neighbors whose lives have been untouched by difficult economic forces and circumstances, substance abuse disorder, access to healthcare challenges, food insecurity and instability in family life. We are prepared to take on these community and individual challenges one person and one family at a time